Shirt collar liner

ABSTRACT

A collar protection system, product and method for keeping a collar clean comprises a collar liner covering a portion of an inner neck-contacting surface of a shirt collar; and an outer collar component for location on an outer surface of the shirt collar. There are liner magnets for the shirt collar liner or for the outer collar component; and magnetically responsive material elements for the outer collar component or for the liner. The magnetic and magnetically responsive material are disposed to magnetically adhere the shirt collar liner and the outer collar component whereby the shirt collar is located between the liner and the outer component so as to be protected from being soiled by the neck.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. Nos. 61/680,986, filed Aug. 8, 2012, and 61/782,619, filed Mar. 14, 2013, and the contents of both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates to clothing for an individual, and in particular shirt wear and neck wear.

A shirt collar comprises a piece of fabric that extends upwards from the shirt and then folds over to extend downwards towards the wearer's shoulders and back. Bodily fluids from the wearer can dirty a shirt, and particularly the collar, which can become stained with yellow-like marks especially on the surface adjacent to the neck of the wearer. The shirt collar can become wet, wrinkled, stained or worn out, resulting in a drab or misshapen collar. This is undesirable for users of collared shirts. There are currently limited solutions to this problem, but they are less than ideal.

A need exists to minimize the problems that occur with the prior art, and particularly for a better system and method for keeping collars clean.

SUMMARY

A product, system and method for retaining cleanliness of a folded collar of a dress or collared shirt is provided, comprising a collar liner covering a portion of an inner neck-contacting surface of a shirt collar; and an outer collar component for location on an outer surface of the shirt collar. There is a collar liner covering a portion of an inner neck-contacting surface of a shirt collar; and an outer collar component for location on an outer surface of the shirt collar.

There is a liner connector, preferably a magnet for the shirt collar liner or for the outer collar component; and a responsive connector, preferably made of a magnetically responsive material or substance for the outer collar component or for the liner. The substance can be embedded into the material, woven, or otherwise affixed, in order to attach to the fabric of outer component or liner.

The connector and responsive connector, preferably magnetic and magnetically responsive material, are disposed to attract the shirt collar liner to the outer collar component, whereby the shirt collar is located between the liner and the outer component.

There are magnets or magnetically responsive material elements for the liner and outer collar component, whereby the shirt collar is located between the liner and the outer component, so as to be protected from being soiled by the neck.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from the following more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the disclosure, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

DRAWINGS

The subject matter, which is regarded as the disclosure, is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features and also the advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a front view of a shirt, shirt collar and inner liner, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a further front view of the shirt, shirt collar and inner liner, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a front view of a shirt, shirt collar and inner liner, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a further front view of the shirt, shirt collar and inner liner, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a front view of a shirt collar and inner liner, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a further front view of the shirt collar and inner liner, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a further view of the shirt collar and inner liner, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure of FIGS. 5 and 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While clothing serves a functional purpose by protecting its wearer from the elements, many aspects of clothing are not directly functional and serve an esthetic and/or a cultural role. Many fashion/esthetic features of clothing do have an underlying functional aspect, but the functional need may become obscured while the feature persists. The necktie, still a staple of male fashion, seems to be a case in point. It is hard to attribute any useful function to a necktie, but the feature persists, and has helped mold the shape and function of the modern shirt collars.

There is some evidence that the present shirt collar is the descendent of the ruffle that was so prominent in Elizabethan clothing. The ruffle, in turn, is purported to have evolved from the gathered folds of cloth resulting from the drawstring used to close the neck-opening of shirts in the Middle Ages. Whatever be the origin and true function of the shirt collar, it is an indispensable feature of shirts/blouses in general, where it is presently seen as an additional piece of fabric that surrounds the neck-opening of the shirt and is usually folded down over itself (to capture a necktie if one is being worn). Generally, the front of the collar ends in two points, one on either side of the front opening of the shirt, which is normally closed by means of a row of buttons. In some cases, the points themselves are buttoned down. In the not too distant past, the collar of male shirts was available in a detachable form (the infamous celluloid collar).

Necktie or no necktie, the shirt collar remains an essential part of both casual and business male attire. While somewhat more varied in structure than collars of male shirts, female shirts and blouses have collars as well. The collar continues to cause its wearers problems. It is inevitable that a collar may become frayed or soiled while the rest of the shirt is still in serviceable condition. The human neck has an uncanny ability to discolor the interior portions of a shirt collar, and this discoloration often becomes readily apparent. This recurrent problem spawned the fairly obnoxious “Ring around the collar” detergent commercial in the nineteen seventies. Any quick internet search will show that collar discoloration remains a current problem and subject for advice requests. Apart from miracle detergents (not always effective) and the now outmoded removable (and very uncomfortable) celluloid collar, there have been a number of other attempts to deal with the collar discoloration problem. For example, a removable tape-like product is available for lining the inside (neck-contacting) surface of a collar. Presumably this tape is readily removable and replaceable. However, the tape is not invisible and tends to make an open collared shirt look clunky. In the case of a closed collar with a necktie, the tape is invisible. However, problems remain with this approach. The tape is not likely to be as comfortable or stylish as fabric and the presence of the adhesives and other chemicals in the tape are a possible source of allergy and irritation. In addition, the tape may leave an adhesive residue on the collar.

What is needed is a removable collar protector that does not rely on messy or allergenic adhesives and which does not compromise the appearance of the collar, but instead enhances it. The inventor has solved the problem with a washable, reusable, and fashionable collar liner that is removably attachable to virtually any shirt with a collar. Such a device/product serves at least three functions:

-   -   1) Protection against dirt/sweat buildup that is common on the         inside of collared shirts (AKA “ring around the collar”);     -   2) Use as a fashion accessory, because the collar liner can be         designed to look stylish and can impart flair and         distinctiveness to “ordinary” shirt collars; and     -   3) Enhancement of the structure of the collar to ensure that the         collar remains straight.

A collar protection system, product and method for keeping a collar clean comprises a collar liner covering a portion of an inner neck-contacting surface of a shirt collar; and an outer collar component for location on an outer surface of the shirt collar.

There are liner magnets for the shirt collar liner or for the outer collar component; and magnetically responsive material elements for the outer collar component or for the liner. The magnetic and magnetically responsive material are disposed to magnetically adhere the shirt collar liner and the outer collar component

The shirt collar is located between the liner and the outer component so as to be protected from being soiled by the neck.

The collar liner is sized for covering a portion of an inner neck-contacting surface of a shirt collar extending at least in part from a position towards first end at a first shirt opening edge towards a second end at a second shirt opening edge. The coverage is preferably at least about half the length, and can preferably be coextensive with the length of the inner neck-contacting portion of the shirt collar.

There can be several magnets with the liner or outer collar component, and several corresponding magnetically responsive material elements with the outer collar component or liner. The magnets and magnetically responsive material elements are spaced along the length of the liner and outer component respectively, and the magnets and magnetically responsive material elements, with each of the liner and outer components respectively being in substantial location registration opposite each other.

The first end of the outer component is in substantial registration towards the first end of the shirt collar liner and a second end of the outer is in substantial registration towards the second end of the shirt collar liner.

The magnets can be spaced apart, and the magnet and magnetically responsive material on the liner and the outer component can be in substantial registration.

The liner magnet is ferromagnetic material and the outer component includes a permanent magnet or the liner magnet includes a permanent magnet and the outer component includes a ferromagnetic material.

A button is disposed at the second end of the collar liner. The button is for location in a button hole on the shirt collar, and the outer component selectively includes a slit on the corresponding end.

The button on the liner selectively is for location with the slit provided on the outer component.

The outer collar component has a first and a second end, and the second end of the outer collar component further comprises a button slit, and the slit is for location with a button on the shirt collar. Thus, there can be two slits, one at either end of the outer component.

The outer collar component can be divided into two components with the first end on one component and the second end on the other component respectively being for location adjacent to the ends of the shirt collar. Selectively a third component extends between the two components and connects the two components. Further selectively at least one of the two components is relatively movable and adjustably located relative to the third component thereby to permit adjustment of the overall length of the outer component.

A length of the shirt collar liner is adjustable to accommodate shirt collars of different circumferences. Adjustability of the length of the shirt collar liner is achieved by inserting an adjustable strap between the first end and the second end of the shirt collar liner.

The liner collar component is divided into two components with the first end on one component and the second end on the other component respectively being for location adjacent to the ends of the shirt collar. A third component extends between the two components and connects the two components, and further selectively at least one of the two components is relatively movable and adjustably located relative to the third component thereby to permit adjustment of the overall length of the liner component.

The liner collar component is divided into two components with the first end on one component and the second end on the other component respectively being for location adjacent to the ends of the shirt collar. A third component extends between the two components and connects the two components, and wherein further selectively at least one of the two components is relatively movable and adjustably located relative to the third component thereby to permit adjustment of the overall length of the liner component.

The collar liner component and the outer component are for reversible location with respect to the collar, whereby the liner is locatable in a position of the outer component, and the outer component is locatable in the position of the liner.

The third component extends between the two components of each other liner and outer component respectively and connects the two components. At least one of the two components is relatively movable and adjustably located relative to the third component thereby to permit adjustment of the overall length of the liner and outer collar component, and wherein an elongated pocket is provided in the one component of the respective liner and outer collar component.

The method of protecting a collar of a shirt comprises locating a collar liner to cover a portion of an inner neck contacting surface of a shirt collar; locating an outer collar component on an outer surface of the shirt collar; and securing a liner magnet for the shirt collar liner or for the outer collar component. A magnetically responsive material for the outer collar component or for the liner, the magnetic and magnetically responsive material is disposed to magnetically adhere the shirt collar liner and the outer collar component. The shirt collar is located between the liner and the outer component.

In some forms, there is a collar protection system comprising a collar liner covering a portion of an inner neck-contacting surface of a shirt collar. A liner connector, preferably a magnet for the collar liner, corresponds to a responsive connector, preferably a magnetically responsive material. The magnetic and the magnetically responsive material are disposed to adhere to the collar liner. The shirt collar is for location remotely from the inner neck contacting surface and is such that the collar liner is for adjacent location against the inner neck contacting surface. In these embodiments, instead of the outer collar component being removable, the collar itself can incorporate the responsive connector, which can be permanently attached to the garment.

The disclosed collar liner is a fabric strip that is sized to cover the inner neck-contact surface of a collar. The liner is removably attached to the collar and kept in place magnetically. In one embodiment the liner consists of a strip of sufficient length to match the circumference of the collar. FIGS. 1 and 2 shows one preferred embodiment of the collar liner, which is comprised of an inner collar liner which covers the neck-contacting portion of the collar and an outer collar component which is disposed around the neck band on the outside of the collar in a juxtaposed position to the inner collar liner. The figure shows the surface of the collar liner that would be in contact with the wearer's neck. The inner and outer collar liners are formed by two connected portions, which are slidingly engaged. In this way the length of the collar liner is readily adjustable to fit a range of collar sizes (i.e., neck circumferences).

The inner collar liner is constructed from fabric or interfacing material, such as “Pellon”. The fabric material can be selected to match the shirt collar fabric or to display an attractive harmonious or contrasting color and/or pattern that will be visible on the insides of an open collar. The collar liner is designed to be magnetically attached to the collar. To this end, the collar liner is equipped with several magnetic regions (illustrated by dotted lines in the shape of squares in FIGS. 1-4). The magnetic regions represent either thin permanent magnets or thin pieces of ferromagnetic material sewn into or adhered to the collar liner.

In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting portions for both the inner and outer collar liners are formed from a thin strap of fabric, which may also contain ferromagnetic material sewn or adhered to the fabric. It will be understood that a preferred arrangement is to have all the magnet regions in the collar liner be either ferromagnetic material or permanent magnets in any single collar liner.

The inner collar liner has a standard shirt button (See FIG. 3) sewn in at the collar opening end.

To install the inner collar liner, it is placed over the inside surface of the shirt collar neck band with the button disposed under the top button hole in the shirt. The inner collar liner is then fixed in place by inserting the button through the collar's button hole. The collar is then folded up (“popped”) for attachment of the outer collar component (See FIGS. 5 and 6).

The outer collar component mirrors the inner collar component, intended to interact with the inner collar liner. The outer collar component has button holes at either end (See FIGS. 2 and 3). The outer collar components are formed from a flexible resilient material such as fabric or plastic sheeting with magnets sewn in or adhered. The magnets are disposed to be in register with the magnetic regions of the inner collar liner, when the inner collar liner is placed on the inside of the collar and the outer collar components are placed on the outside of the collar. For female shirts, the sewn-on button will be on the opposite side of the inner collar liner, with all the other characteristics remaining basically the same, only mirrored.

The outer component is then placed on the outside of the collar in registration with the inner collar liner and the button. The button slits are inserted under the original button and the “new” button sewn onto the inner collar liner. Each of the magnets in the outer collar liner registers with the ferromagnetic regions of the inner collar liner. The magnets are high strength rare earth magnets such as neodymium magnets. These are strongly attracted to the magnet regions of the inner collar liner, thereby sandwiching the neck portion of the collar between the inner collar liner and the outer component. With the inner portion anchored at the buttonhole end of the collar, the other end is stretched around the collar so that its end matches the button end of the collar. The outer component is then juxtaposed in registration on the outside of the collar with the button slits inserted under the buttons on the collar. The magnets and the magnetic regions are all in registration thereby locking the inner collar liner in position. The collar is folded down into its normal position thereby hiding the majority of the outer collar component.

At this point the inner and outer collar liners are strongly fixed in position and the collar looks like a normal shirt collar, except for the color/pattern of the inner and outer collar liner and the presence of a button on either side of the collar opening (due to the button sewn onto the inner collar liner). If the wearer decides to button the collar into a closed position, a piece of elastic will allow the buttons to be attached to each other, and effectively attach the two sides. (See FIG. 4)

The advantage of this approach is that the elastic piece automatically provides a slight extension if the collar is too tight. After the shirt has been worn, the inner collar liner is removed by reversing the above procedure. Essentially, the collar is folded up and the outer collar component is unbuttoned and removed. The entire device is designed to be washable; however, since the outer collar component is in a protected location, it does not become readily soiled and will generally not require washing.

In the illustrated embodiment, the adjustable inner and outer collar liners adjust for a range of about 15″ to 18″ total length, which encompasses the vast majority of neck sizes (hence making it “one-size-fits-all” device). It will further be appreciated that the outer collar component can be used with any number of inner collar liners (for example, a package of four collar liners might include only one outer collar components and four inner collar liners). Alternatively, each collar liner can be supplied with its own set of outer collar components.

It will be understood that many variations of the basic device fall within the disclosure. It is not essential that all of the fine details such as the button slits on the outer collar components be included. Also, it is possible to make a collar liner to exactly match a given neck size so that adjustable portion would be eliminated. In that case the outer collar component could be one continuous piece rather than two separate pieces.

Specificities for multiple embodiments have been described. These should not be construed as limitations on the scope, but rather as an exemplification of several embodiments thereof. These embodiments are presented as a demonstration that many other variations are possible. While the apparatus, method and system have been described in terms of what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure need not be limited to the disclosed embodiments.

For instance, although the disclosure has considered with separate magnetic elements, there could be other formats. In one alternative, there could be one or more elongated magnetic strips. Alternatively, there could be other forms of connecting the liner and outer collar portion together. Some of these variations may include forms of Velcro™ strips or other adhering devices or systems.

It is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the claims, the scope of which should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures. The present disclosure includes any and all embodiments of the following claims. 

1. A collar protection system comprising: a collar liner covering a portion of an inner neck-contacting surface of a shirt collar; an outer collar component for location on an outer surface of the shirt collar; a liner connector, preferably a magnet for the shirt collar liner or for the outer collar component; and a responsive connector, preferably a magnetically responsive material for the outer collar component or for the liner, the magnetic and magnetically responsive material being disposed to adhere the shirt collar liner and the outer collar component whereby the shirt collar is located between the liner and the outer component.
 2. The collar protection system of claim 1 wherein the collar liner is sized for covering a portion of an inner neck-contacting surface of a shirt collar extending at least in part from a position towards first end at a first shirt opening edge towards a second end at a second shirt opening edge; and the coverage is preferably at least about half of the length of the inner neck-contacting portion of the shirt collar.
 3. The collar protection system of claim 1, including several magnets with the liner or outer collar component, and several corresponding magnetically responsive material elements with the outer collar component or liner, the magnets and magnetically responsive material elements being spaced along the length of the liner and outer component respectively, and the magnets and magnetically responsive material elements with each of the liner and outer components respectively being for substantial location registration opposite each other.
 4. The collar protection system of claim 1, wherein a first end of the outer is in substantial registration towards the first end of the shirt collar liner and a second end of the outer is in substantial registration towards the second end of the shirt collar liner.
 5. The collar protection system of claim 1, wherein the magnets are spaced apart, and the magnet and magnetic responsive material on the liner and the outer component are in substantial registration.
 6. The collar protection system according to claim 1, wherein the liner magnet is ferromagnetic material and the outer component includes a permanent magnet or wherein the liner magnet include a permanent magnet and the outer component includes a ferromagnetic material.
 7. The collar protection system according to claim 1, wherein a button is disposed at the second end of the collar liner, the button being for location in a button hole on the shirt collar, and wherein the outer component selectively includes a slit, and the button on the liner selectively is for location with the slit provided on the outer component.
 8. The collar protection system according to claim 1, wherein the outer collar component has a first and a second end, and the second end of the outer collar component further comprises a button slit, the slit being for location with a button on the shirt collar.
 9. The collar protection system according to claim 1, wherein the outer collar component has a first and a second end, and the second end of the outer collar component further comprises a button slit the slit being for location with a button on the shirt collar.
 10. The collar protection system according to claim 1, wherein the outer collar component is divided into two components with the first end on one component and the second end on the other component respectively being for location adjacent to the ends of the shirt collar, and wherein selectively a third component extends between the two components and connects the two components, and wherein further selectively at least one of the two components is relatively movable and adjustably located relative to the third component thereby to permit adjustment of the overall length of the outer component.
 11. The collar protection system according to claim 1, wherein a length of the shirt collar liner is adjustable to accommodate shirt collars of different circumferences.
 12. The collar protection system according to claim 10, wherein adjustability of the length of the shirt collar liner is achieved by inserting an adjustable strap between the first end and the second end of the shirt collar liner.
 13. The collar protection system according to claim 1, wherein the liner collar component is divided into two components with the first end on one component and the second end on the other component respectively being for location adjacent the ends of the shirt collar, and wherein selectively a third component extends between the two components and connects the two components, and wherein further selectively at least one of the two components is relatively movable and adjustably located relative to the third component thereby to permit adjustment of the overall length of the liner component.
 14. The collar protection system according to claim 10, wherein the liner collar component is divided into two components with the first end on one component and the second end on the other component respectively being for location adjacent the ends of the shirt collar, and wherein selectively a third component extends between the two components and connects the two components, and wherein further selectively at least one of the two components is relatively movable and adjustably located relative to the third component thereby to permit adjustment of the overall length of the liner component.
 15. The collar protection system according to claim 1, wherein the liner collar component and the outer component are for reversible location with respect to the collar, whereby the liner is locatable in a position of the outer component, and the outer component is locatable in the position of the liner.
 16. The collar protection system according to claim 1, wherein the liner collar component and outer component are divided into two components respectively with the first end on one component and the second end on the other component respectively being for location adjacent the ends of the shirt collar, and wherein selectively a third component extends between the two components of each other liner and outer component respectively and connects the two components, and wherein further selectively at least one of the two components is relatively movable and adjustably located relative to the third component thereby to permit adjustment of the overall length of the liner and outer collar component, and wherein an elongated pocket is provided in the one component of the respective liner and outer collar component.
 17. A collar protection system comprising: a collar liner covering a portion of an inner neck-contacting surface of a shirt collar; a liner connector, preferably a magnet for the collar liner; and a responsive connector, preferably corresponds to a magnetically responsive material for the liner connector, the magnetic and magnetically responsive material being disposed to adhere the collar liner whereby the shirt collar is for location remotely from the inner neck contacting surface and being such that the collar liner is for adjacent location against the inner neck contacting surface, the responsive connector being selectively permanently part of the collar.
 18. A collar protection product comprising: a collar liner for covering a portion of an inner neck-contacting surface of a shirt collar; an outer collar component for location on an outer surface of the shirt collar; a liner magnet for the shirt collar liner or for the outer collar component; and a magnetically responsive material for the outer collar component or for the liner, the magnetic and magnetically responsive material being disposed to magnetically adhere the shirt collar liner and the outer collar component whereby the shirt collar is located between the liner and the outer component.
 19. A method of protecting a collar of a shirt comprising: locating a collar liner to cover a portion of an inner neck contacting surface of a shirt collar; locating an outer collar component on an outer surface of the shirt collar; and securing a liner magnet for the shirt collar liner or for the outer collar component; and a magnetically responsive material for the outer collar component or for the liner, the magnetic and magnetically responsive material being disposed to magnetically adhere the shirt collar liner and the outer collar component whereby the shirt collar is located between the liner and the outer component. 